SteveCraig

Some dealers & private shops will indeed take advantage of unsuspecting clients.
Dropped my son's VW at the dealer while bringing it back from the airport. "Service due" light was on , he would be away for a couple weeks so the timing worked. Next day they called stating the cabin air filter was very dirty & should be changed for $ 68.95 + HST(15%).
Let them know I was in fact born on a Friday but it wasn't last Friday. Picked up the car that evening. Bought a filter at Carquest on the way home for $9.00 + HST. Took all of 3 minutes to change it.
Back in '93 we needed a van & Honda didn't have one. Bought a new Nissan Quest in early Spring. These were built together with Ford who sold them as a Mercury Villager. That Fall we drop it off for snow tires & service. Dealer calls Jane stating they need $150.00 for a new steel wheel as one is bent, Funny, I had the car on the highway the day prior & noticed nothing. Plastic hubcap had no road rash either. Jane was sure she didn't hit anything recently such as a pothole or a curb. I was more bent about the price of the rim than anything else, 150 for a painted steel wheel.
Went to the dealer's shop that afternoon & asked to see the car & damaged wheel. Car was in the service bay. "Open the hood please". I ask the dealer to look at the underside of the hood & tell me what he sees! He's stumped & asks exactly what he's looking for. "Have a close look at the engine spec. decal, 3.0l, XX oil, timing belt routing etc.". He looks again & is still stumped. I explained if he were to look real close he could actually see the Ford decal under the Nissan decal. "Pull a stunt like that again & it'll be going to Ford for service after I have a chat with your boss." I've never ever seen a reversal on charges happen that fast. Wheel was actually fine & yes we took it elsewhere for service after that.

hovbuild

Now I am confused. I thought a fluid exchanges by a machine was a no no.

budwom

All I know is that Lexus publishes an estimated cost of each and every service interval, and by going to my excellent local Toyota dealer, I get ALL the recommended work done for an average of 40-60% less. For example, on a service which
Lexus says will cost $184, I paid $84. This has consistently been the case. Four plus years into my Lexus ownership, I'm thrilled at the reliability (fingers crossed) of the vehicle, and thrilled at the great service work
done by the Toyota guys. The initial price of the car was high, but thus far cost of ownership has been very, very reasonable.

Cocal

That was with the old machines and transmissions, since most people waited well over 100,000 miles before the change of fluid, the machine a new fluid could dislodge deposits from seals that would make the tranny leak and clog passages. These new machines are computer controlled and measure the amount of fluid in & out, some have their own pump and some use your tranny's pump. What's most important is that the operator know how to do it properly.

Cocal

Yes that's true for 90% of service, but there are still some things that only a Lexus dealer can do, still well worth a try if the Toyota dealer is willing as some are not.
In my experience the price gap is not as great as you say, you've been very lucky to find such a dealer!
I agree completely that the price was high, but the cost of ownership is rather low for a car of this calibre.

budwom

What kinds of things have you found (other than warranty work) that only a Lexus dealer can do? I thought the cars were pretty much the same.
For sure, the dealer I go to is exceptionally honest and economical; there's another Toyota dealer nearby which I avoid like the plague....they insist on all services being Service A, B or C which means a whole lot more money...no a la carte from them...

Cocal

The things only a Lexus dealer can do are those that may require a special tool, but let's not forget that only a dealer gets bulletins on problems and solutions plus their experience on those particular vehicles. But if you have a lousy dealer then a good indy or another dealer must be considered. I've been lucky so far the dealers I've dealt with have been honest except for the MB ones that want you to service every nut & bolt once a week and twice on sunday, for my MB I found a good indy to service it, who would also tell me if the repair/adjustment could be done by him or only the dealer.

niklow

It was the advisor that missed a step and tried to pawn it on you. It happens, dealers vary and long term relationship with service people will result in them fighting for you and swinging your way or not. < this is my experience.

MellonC00

i finally got the survey and explained the situation. I also wrote in the survey to call me. Let's see if they are interested in listening to a disappointed customer with two RX's in the house.

budwom

I never got a response to a note I sent corporate. My Lexus is my favorite car I've ever owned, but the purchasing experience was truly nightmarish, a blatant attempt to (what is the polite word?) cheat me (only word I can think of). Inexcusable.

salimshah

From your post 18, 21, 25 it seems you have an issue with the price of service & repair. Are you asking that the price needs to be regulated by Lexus Corp? This is free market, if the charge too high the consumers have the right to go look at alternative and vote by their check-books.

When it comes to warranty service, then Lexus corporation is a party.

Salim

MellonC00

i have an issue with attempted "double dipping" by the dealer on a legitimate warranty repair. It's not an issue with price at all.

budwom

I have NO idea where you got that thought. Yes, I do not like Lexus's service prices, so I go to a Toyota dealer and have the exact same work performed for 40% less. I've got four years of service invoices to prove this point. Lexus can charge what they want, but I won't pay it.
As a separate issue, I brought up the fact that my purchasing experience was dreadful...but I love the car.

salimshah

my bad. By the thread title, I inadvertently connected the issue to service. Is there another thread that you discussed the purchase experience?

Salim